Reinforced central tunnel for x-member of chassis frame



W- G- HESS Sept. 2, 1952 REINFORCED CENTRAL TUNNEL FOR X-MEMBER OF CHASSIS FRAME Filed Sept. '7

INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 REINFORCED CENTRAL TUNNEL FOR X-MEMBER OF CHASSIS FRAME Werner G. Hess, Dearborn, Mich., assignor to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application September 7, 1950, Serial No. 183,490

. 10 Claims. I

This invention relates to vehicle chassis frames and more particularly to improvements in the X-framing members of vehicle chassis frames.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple but extremely rigid union or connection between the arms of the X-member which will successfully resist weaving or twisting of the X-member and consequently the chassis frame, in any and all directions.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in an X-member composed of two opposed substantially V-shaped elements, a union or connection therebetween which acts substantially as a continuing connection between the aligned arms of the opposed V-shaped elements of the X- member while leaving an opening therein through which a propeller shaft may extend.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an X-member in which the union or connection between the elements of the X-mem-ber includes a quasi tubular structure having as in herent characteristics the ability to resist both bending and twisting strains and stresses.

Various other objects, advantages, and novel details of construction of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a vehicle chassis frame provided with an X-member constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan View of the union or connection between the V-shaped elements of the X-member;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on the line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on the line 5-5 thereof; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the cylindrical member of the chassis frame through which the propeller shaft operates.

In the drawing the reference character In indicates the longitudinal side members of the vehicle chassis frame only one however being illustrated. These members ID are shown as channel shaped with the channels facin inwardly.

The X-framing members are disposed between the side members I0 and each comprises a pair of substantially V-shaped elements ll, here shown as channel shaped in cross section, terminally connected as at Ila by rivets or other suitable means to the inside of the channel of the members II] as shown. The V-shape elements ll are assembled with the opposite arms of the pair of elements in substantial alignment and apices of the Vs spaced apart. Each pair of elements' H is connected by a union or connection indicated generally by the reference character I2.

This union or connection [2, which forms the: particular subject matter of this invention is in the form of a box-like or so-called dog house structure and consists in part of an upper or top gusset plate member I 3 and a lower or bottom. gusset plate member [4, riveted or otherwise. rigidly secured as at l5 to the flanges of the V- shaped elements II at the apices thereof.

The top gusset plate i3 is formed with an upwardly extending or crown portion l6 and its op posite ends are cut away as at I! and are provided with downwardly extending flanges IS. The lower gusset plate It is shown as bein flat.

Disposed within the box-like structure defined by the gusset plates [3 and i4 and the adjacent apices of the elements H is a pair of inner reinforcing members or elements I9. These members l9 are substantially semicylindrical in vertical cross-section and are assembled and secured together with their concavities facing one another to produce or form a quasi tubular structure which provides an opening 20 through which a propeller shaft may extend.

The opposed edges of the elements l9 meet and engage one another longitudinally intermediate their ends both at the top and bottom thereof and at this area the cross-sectional shape of the assembled pair of elements I9 is truly tubular.

The elements 19 decrease in depth from their area of abutment toward their ends as will be apparent from an examination of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Thus the elements is form arched channels decreasing in depth from their longitudinal centers toward their ends and the bases of these channels are in substantial alignment with and act substantially as connections between and continua tions of, the aligned arms of the opposed V-shaped elements ll of theX-member.

The top and bottom edges of the elements l9 are provided with flanges 2| and in the area of abutment these flanges extend into slots in the top and bottom gusset plates 13 and I4 and are welded or otherwise rigidly attached thereto as indicated at 22. These flanges 2| diverge from the welds 22 in X-relationship substantially in alignment with the legs of the X-formin members l I. The flanges at the top engage downwardly extending flanges [8 of the top gusset plate I3 and may be welded or otherwise secured thereto, The flanges 2| of the bottom at points spaced from the welds 22 rest on the bottom gusset plate 14 as shown at the left in Fig. 5. Vertically extending circumferentially arranged reinforcing ribs 23 may be formed in the elements :9 if desired to provide further strength thereto.

With the described structure, which embodies the combination of top and bottom gusset plates with a quasi tubular inner reinforcement, it is possible to produce an X-member which will successfully resist all weaving, twisting, and bending strains and stresses to which the chassis frame is subjected. These stresses which are imparted to the gusset plates by the V-shaped elements of the X-member are transferred to the quasi tubular reinforcing member and resisted thereby. The multiple tapering configuration of the inner reinforcing member provides a substantially continuin connection between the aligned arms of the opposed V-shaped elements of the X-mem'ber whereby longitudinal loads imparted to any one of said arms may be transmitted to the other arm in longitudinal alignment therewith. The X- menrber is light in weightfor the amount of strength embodied therein when providing a passage for a propeller shaft.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of substantially V-shaped elements loeated between said side members, each said ele ment having a pair of legs secured to opposite side members, and means connecting said V- shaped elements together including plate members rigidly attached to the top and bottom of said V-shaped elements at the apices thereof, a tubular member between said plate members and said elements rigidly connected to the plate members, and continuously extending webs on said tubular member in substantially X-relationship, with each arm of the X substantially aligned with a leg of the V-shaped elements.

2. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor com-- prising a pair of substantially V-shaped elements located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, and means connecting said V-shaped elements together including plate members rigidly attached to the top and bottom of said V-shaped elements at the apices thereof, and two semicylindrical elements forming a tubular member between said plate members rigidly connected thereto, said elements having continuous web portions disposed substantially in X-relationship, with each arm thereof aligned with a leg of the V-shaped elements.

3. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of substantially V-shaped elements located between said side members with the free ends attached thereto, gusset plates secured to the upper and lower faces of said V-shaped elements at the apices thereof, a tubular" member between said plate members rigidly connected thereto at diametrically opposed points, and flanges extending from said tubular member in substantial alignment with said V-po'rtions of said elements.

a. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of elements having angular disposed portions located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, plate members rigidly secured to said elements at the junction of the angle portions thereof, a pair of substantially semicylindrical members between said plate members forming a tubular structure, and projections on said last members extending through said plate members and rigidly secured thereto.

5. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of elements having angular disposed portions located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, plate members rigidly secured to said elements at the junction of the angle portions thereof, a pair of substantially semicylindrical members between said plate members forming a tubular structure, projections on said last members extending through said plate member and rigidly secured thereto, and flanges extendin from said last members in substantial alignment with the angular disposed portions of said elements.

. 6. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-inember therefor comprising a pair of elements having angular disposed portions located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, plate members rigidly secured to said elements at the junction of the angle portions thereof, a pair of substantially semicylindrical members between said plate members forming a tubular structure, projections on said last members extending through said plate members and rigidly secured thereto, flanges extending from said last members in substantial alignment with the angular disposed portions of said elements, and flanges on at least one of said plate members extending over the adjacent flanges of said last members.

7. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of substantially V-shaped elements having angularly disposed arm portions located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, and the apices spaced apart, gusset plates secured to the upper and lower faces of said V-shaped elements at the apices thereof, a pair of substantially semicylindrical members located in the space defined by said gusset plates and the apices of said V-shaped elements, said semicylindrical members abutting intermediate their ends forming a tubular portion and being spaced apart from the area of abutment toward their ends, and means rigidly securing said semicylindrical members within said plate members and elements with the spaced apart portions substantially aligned with the arm portions of said elements.

8. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising a pair of substantially V-shaped elements located between said side members with the free ends connected thereto, plate members rigidly secured to said V-shaped elements at the apices thereof, forming a tunnel therewith, a tubular member located within said tunnel, and flanges extending from said tubular member disposed in substantial alignment with portions of said elements.

9. In a vehicle chassis frame having longitudinal side members, an X-member therefor comprising, spaced upper and lower plate members, legs joining said plate members to said side memlbl-BIS forming a central tunnel, and a cylindrical member disposed in said tunnel and. secured therewithin, said cylindrical member having continuous webs disposed in X-relationship between "REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,088,453 Werdehofi July 27, 1937 2,154,154 Eklund Apr. 11, 1939 

